Soul Emperor Awakening

The Fox King fell silent for a moment before speaking. "This is indeed shocking news for us. How much more do you know?"

"I only know that the Golden Dragon Race’s current temporary residence is somewhere in the northern part of the Demon Race Continent. As for the exact location, I’m not sure," Lin Xuan said truthfully. "I was separated from the Golden Dragon King’s daughter due to a problem with the Teleportation Array and I still haven’t found her. That’s why I plan to head to the Golden Dragon Race’s remaining safe haven. I should be able to find her from there."

"Yes, I do know a little, but it’s about the same as what you know. We only know it’s somewhere in the north, but we don’t know the precise location... And even if we did, what good would it do? We can barely protect ourselves as it is." The Fox King shook her head helplessly, their former glory now reduced to ruin.

Lin Xuan nodded. Hu Hong hadn’t lied to him. He had known at the time she wasn’t lying; he could tell just by looking into her eyes.

"It’s just as I said before," Lin Xuan reiterated. "If you do anything to harm my friends or family, I will become an enemy of the Demon Fox Race. Anything else is not my concern. Beyond that, I am more than willing to be on good terms with you. From a certain perspective, you could consider me an ally. My sister is the heir to the Golden Dragon Race, so naturally, she wouldn’t be your enemy."

The Fox King gave a slight nod. What Lin Xuan said was very reasonable. This gave him a perfectly valid reason for saving them. The Demon Fox Race had originally been vassals to the Golden Dragon Race, so it was only natural for him to help. When she thought about it, it all made perfect sense.

This was a sudden realization for them. No wonder Lin Xuan had chosen to save them! Since they were so hostile toward humans, they hadn’t been able to easily believe his words.

"It seems we misjudged you. Thank you so much, benefactor!"

"Yes! You looked so heroic and handsome when you saved us! I really like you!"

"All other humans combined aren’t as incredible as you, and they’re definitely not as kind-hearted!"

...

The surrounding Demon Foxes chattered their thanks, causing Lin Xuan to wipe away a cold sweat. Now that he’d explained everything, their responses were almost embarrassingly enthusiastic. They were certainly a passionate bunch. ’If there weren’t so many people here, it feels like they’d offer themselves to me.’

"Alright, alright, stop your nonsense. We’re discussing serious matters right now!" Hu Hong shot them a glare, then her gaze shifted back to Lin Xuan, a peculiar look in her eyes as well.

’Whatever his motives, just knowing that Lin Xuan genuinely wanted to save them—and wasn’t just using them to find the Demon Fox Race’s current base—is enough.’

Lin Xuan wiped away another cold sweat. ’They really are as passionate as a wildfire.’

The Fox King cleared her throat a few times, putting a stop to their antics. She then said to Lin Xuan, "Since that’s the case, we can proceed to the next step. If someone with a destined connection to our Demon Fox Race obtains it, they can become our Guardian God. I wonder, are you willing to take on that role?"

"The Guardian God of the Demon Fox Race? And what benefits would that have for me?" Lin Xuan asked, his eyes narrowing. ’This is proceeding exactly as it did in the previous Fox King’s memories,’ he thought. ’It really shows how much the Demon Fox Race values their ancestral traditions. They’re even willing to let a human become their Guardian God.’

"The benefits are considerable, of course. You would have access to all the resources of the Demon Fox Race. You would be able to share anything we possess—and only you. Your status would be comparable to that of the Fox King, though you cannot command members of the Demon Fox Race at will. However, if the race agrees, they will act according to your wishes. In return, you must never abandon or forsake the Demon Fox Race!"

The Fox King had just dropped a bombshell. The position of Guardian God was truly equivalent to the Fox King, with access to everything. However, the Demon Fox Race was not what it once was; their resources were no longer as abundant. And now, this condition to never abandon them meant he would be completely bound to the Demon Fox Race.

As the saying goes, to get the reward, you have to pay the price. That was certainly no lie.

"No problem," Lin Xuan agreed without a second thought. ’I’ll have to help the Golden Dragon Race recover in the future, and I’ll definitely need the Demon Fox Race’s strength then. So, being bound together isn’t a problem, especially since the Demon Fox Race is genuinely powerful.’

The Fox King gave him a deep, searching look before continuing, "Of course, it isn’t that simple. You must pass our trial to become a true Guardian God. If you can’t even pass the trial, then we can only apologize."

"What kind of trial?" Lin Xuan wasn’t surprised by this. It wasn’t because the memories had mentioned it—they contained nothing on the subject—but because the role of a Guardian God was too important. If he didn’t have the ability, how could he even be considered for the position?

"The Minotaur Race!" the Fox King said, her voice cold. "I presume you have already had contact with them. The trial is this: you will go with our people to the Minotaur Tribe and rescue our companions. We will have an Elder lure away the most powerful Minotaurs, leaving you to deal with the rest and get our people out!"

"That’s the trial? Even if it weren’t, I would have helped anyway," Lin Xuan said.

A strange light flickered in the Fox King’s beautiful eyes, but she still said, "No, this *is* the trial. The requirement is that you rescue every single one of our companions, without a single loss from our side. That is your trial. Once you complete it, you will become our Guardian God and enjoy the same status as the Fox King!"

"Rest assured, we have already gathered intelligence on the situation. There are indeed powerful Minotaurs, but as long as they are lured away, you should have no problem handling the rest."

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment before nodding. "I would have done that even if you hadn’t made it a condition. When you’re rescuing people, no one gets left behind. If I truly fail, not only will I refuse the position of Guardian God, but I will also return the Yulan Pearl to you!"

"Your words are enough. In that case, there is no time to waste. Let’s move immediately!" The Fox King gave the order at once. Every day her kin remained in the Minotaurs’ hands was another day of suffering.

They had already decided on this mission; with Lin Xuan’s participation, it simply became his trial. Their test wasn’t complicated. It didn’t require passing through some obstacle course or their Grand Array of Charm. None of that was necessary.

The most practical test was to help save their people. It was that simple, and that direct.

"Fox King, I want to go too!" Hu Hong stepped forward, refusing to stay behind just because she was the Fox King’s daughter.

"Go..." The Fox King paused for a moment, then finally nodded.

With no time to waste, Hu Hong nodded and immediately took the lead, guiding the others toward the exit to prepare for their journey to the Minotaur Tribe.

Just as they had left, the Fox King’s face went pale. Her body swayed, and she was immediately caught and supported by a nearby Demon Fox.

"Fox King, are you alright?" a Fox Girl asked with concern.

"I’m fine... If I didn’t have to maintain this Grand Array, I would have gone out to rescue them myself long ago. Why else would I be cowering here?" The Fox King gave a bitter smile, feeling utterly powerless.